THE WALL OF FACES

John Holcomb died to keep me alive. We were squad leaders in Company D, 2d Bn, 7th Cav on Dec. 3, 1968
when we were ambushed by the 368th VC Main Force Battalion. We fought for more than five hours that day
and a lot of guys did a lot of heroic things that day to keep us from being overrun. But when the barrel of my
M-60 was blow off and my side of the landing zone was left unprotected, Holcomb got up and ran across fifty
meters of that bullet swept battlefield to bring me another. In doing so, John took four bullets. For many years,
I thought that I had stolen something from him and the others of our company who died that day. Recently,
I've been able to look at it differently - to accept that he and all those who died that day gave me a gift and that
the only disgrace in receiving that gift would be to squander it. Since coming to that realization, John, I've tried
to live every day of my life to honor your sacrifice; to make you proud to know that your gift is not being wasted.
I will do so for every day of my life.

Garryowen, John
Steve Banko - Heavy Bones 1-1

SERGEANT


JOHN NOBLE HOLCOMB


served as a


SQUAD LEADER


with


COMPANY ' D '

2nd BATTALION

7th CAVALRY

1st CAVALRY DIVISION


and was a posthumous recipient of the


CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


who rests in honored glory in


EAGLE VALLEY CEMETERY


RICHLAND, OREGON



************************************************************



CITATION

FOR AWARD OF THE

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR



NEAR QUON LOI

REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

3 DECEMBER 1968



For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant Holcomb distinguished
himself while serving as a squad leader in Company D during a combat
assault mission. Sergeant Holcomb's company assault had landed by
helicopter and deployed into a hasty defensive position to organize for a
reconnaissance-in-force mission when it was attacked from three sides
by an estimated battalion-size enemy force. Sergeant Holcomb's squad
was directly in the path of the main enemy attack. With complete disregard
for the heavy fire, Sergeant Holcomb moved among his men giving
encouragement and directing fire on the assaulting enemy. When his
machine gunner was knocked out, Sergeant Holcomb seized the weapon,
ran to a forward edge of the position, and placed withering fire upon the
enemy. His gallant actions caused the enemy to withdraw. Sergeant
Holcomb treated and carried his wounded to a position of safety and
reorganized his defensive sector despite a raging grass fire ignited by the
incoming enemy mortar and rocket rounds. When the enemy assaulted
the position a second time, Sergeant Holcomb again manned the forward
machine-gun, devastating the enemy attack and forcing the enemy to
again break contact and withdraw. During the enemy withdrawl an enemy
rocket hit Sergeant Holcomb's position, destroying his machine gun and
severely wounding him. Despite his painful wounds, Sergeant Holcomb
crawled through the grass fire and exploding mortar and rocket rounds
to move the members of his squad, every one of whom had been wounded,
to more secure positions. Although grievously wounded and sustained
solely by his indomitable will and courage, Sergeant Holcomb as the last
surviving leader of his platoon organized his men to repel the enemy,
crawled to the platoon radio and reported the third enemy assault on his
position. His report brought friendly supporting fires on the charging
enemy and broke the enemy attack. Sergeant Holcomb's inspiring
leadership, fighting spirit, in action at the cost of his life were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit
on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.



************************************************************



CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


was presented to his family

on 16 February 1971

in the

East Ballroom

of

The White House

by the

President of the United States of America

Richard M. Nixon



************************************************************





THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL

AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE

I have just read the book, "Memories of War, Dreams of Peace Echoes of the Vietnam War". In it your buddy, Stephen T. Banko III tells of your heroism. I would like to send my deepest gratitude to your family. Your amazing courage as well as Steve's will live in my memory for the remainder of my life. God Bless you..My brother, Herman L. Judy, Jr., died at Hoc Mon Bridge. South Vietnam on 5-29-69. Donna Judy Lathe